OBJECTIVETo investigate the course of coronary artery lesions caused by Kawasaki disease, and the value of coronary angiography (CAG) and two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D Echo) in the evaluation and follow-up of coronary artery lesions.

METHODSEighty seven patients with coronary artery lesions caused by Kawasaki disease from 1979 to 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred and sixty-seven CAGs were performed in 87 patients during follow-up. CAG was repeated every 1-3 years in each patient until complete regression was confirmed. 2-D Echo was performed before CAG each time. The longest period of follow-up was 16 years and 6 months. Patients were treated with aspirin or aspirin and warfarin.

RESULTSDuring follow-up, the coronary artery lesions regressed in 48/87 (55%) patients, however, they developed into severe coronary artery lesions in 6/87 (7%) patients in whom coronary artery bypass surgery was performed. The coronary artery aneurysm regressed in some patients, while stenotic lesions remained or developed. The ratio of coronary artery stenotic lesions to aneurysms increased progressively. This study showed that Echo diagnosis of coronary artery lesions has "false positives" and "false negatives". Only 76% of coronary aneurysms and 18% of stenotic lesions could be found by 2-D Echo. No stenotic lesion could be found in distal segments of the coronary artery.

CONCLUSIONSLong term follow up revealed spontaneous regression occurred in 55% of patients and development into severe coronary artery stenosis in 7%. It is necessary to perform long-term follow-up in patients with coronary artery lesions caused by Kawasaki disease. 2-D Echo can not completely replace CAG during follow-up of coronary artery lesions caused by Kawasaki disease.